Shohei Ohtani had an impressive performance as the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied past the Colorado Rockies 2-1 on Sunday. Ohtani, known for his remarkable talent as a two-way player, had a 1 for 4 game but managed to steal his 59th base of the season. Despite his efforts, Ohtani fell short in his quest to become the National League’s first Triple Crown winner since 1937, as he led the NL in homers with 54 and RBIs with 130, while falling just short in the batting race with a .310 average, trailing Luis Arráez of the San Diego Padres.
Ohtani’s feat as a charter member of the 50-50 club was highlighted by his 59th stolen base during the eighth-inning rally, showcasing his exceptional versatility on the field. The last time an NL player achieved the Triple Crown was in 1937, accomplished by St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Joe Medwick, whereas in the AL, Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers achieved the feat in 2012.
In the game, Chris Taylor’s home run in the eighth inning tied the game, and a decisive balk call against Rockies reliever Seth Halvorsen brought home the winning run for the Dodgers. The victory, with Evan Phillips picking up the win and Edgardo Henriquez securing his first career save, contributed to the Dodgers finishing with a major league-best record of 98-64 for the regular season.
For the Rockies, it was an emotional day as veteran player Charlie Blackmon played his final game after 14 seasons with the team. Blackmon, a stalwart of the Rockies franchise, was honored in a pregame ceremony and received a warm send-off from fans. Despite the loss, the Rockies saw Sam Hilliard blast a 476-foot home run, showcasing their potential amidst a challenging season.
In the midst of Blackmon’s farewell and the game’s proceedings, the topic of Rockies manager Bud Black’s expiring contract was humorously sidestepped. Looking ahead, the Dodgers will have a few days off before starting the National League Division Series, while the Rockies will regroup for spring training in February.
The season wrapped up with the Dodgers clinching home-field advantage throughout the postseason and the Rockies finishing with a record of 61-101, marking their second consecutive 100-loss season. The ballparks also saw a decrease in attendance, with 2,540,195 fans attending games at Coors Field compared to 2,607,935 the previous season. Despite the challenges faced, both teams look towards the future in anticipation of what the next season will bring.
